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[Book Review] A Plain and Simple Christmas by Amy Clipston

About the Book:In the tradition of her widely popular Kauffman Amish Bakery series, author Amy Clipston tells the tale of Anna Mae McDonough who was shunned by her family four years ago when she left her Amish community in Lancaster County, PA, to marry an “Englisher” (non Amish) man and move with him to Baltimore. Now, eight months pregnant when her first child, she longs to return home for Christmas to reconcile with her family, especially her stern father, who is the religious leader for her former Amish church district. So Anne Mae writes a letter to Kathryn Beiler, her brother’s wife, to enlist her help. Kathryn asks her husband, David, if she should arrange Anna Mae’s visit. David cautions her that a visit would cause too much stress in the family and instead suggests they visit Anna Mae and her husband in the spring. However, Kathryn arranges the visit anyway, believing in her heart that it’s God’s will for the family to heal. When Anna Mae arrives in Lancaster for Christmas, she doesn’t receive the welcome she expects and her world begins to fall apart, leaving her to question her place in her family – and her faith in God. A book filled with love, the pain of being separated from one’s family, and the determination to follow God’s will regardless of the outcome, A Plain and Simple Christmas is an inspiring page-turner that will keep you guessing what happens next…right to the very last page.

About the Author:Amy Clipston is the bestselling author of A Gift of Grace and A Promise of Hope in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series. She lives with her husband, Joe, and two sons in North Carolina.Author Website:https://www.amyclipston.com

My Review:Okay. Can I just say that I REALLY, REALLY want to spend Christmas in Lancaster?! Amy Clipston is a fantastic author of Amish novels and never disappoints with her ability to use wonderful detail and description, leaving her readers thirsty for more of her novels! When I FINALLY (yes, FINALLY…I waited what felt like YEARS for this amazing little book ;-)!) received this book, I couldn’t WAIT to read it! The is just adorable….plain and simple-PERFECT for the story!

When you open A Plain and Simple Christmas, you’re instantly transported to Maryland, where we meet Anna Mae, a young, shunned Amish mother-to-be, and her English husband, Kellan. As I started reading Anna Mae’s story, I could feel her emotional struggles of missing her Amish family at a time of year that’s meant to be celebrated and shared with family. She really worked her way into my heart! So, what’s to happen when she enlists the help of her Amish sister-in-law, Kathryn with making a way for her and Kellan to visit for Christmas? And will another Christmas birth bring peace and forgiveness???

I absolutely LOVED this little book. I felt so much a part of this story….helping Kathryn bring Anna Mae and Kellan home for Christmas and right beside Anna Mae, feeling her emotions and thoughts as if they were my own. I was in praying mode all through this book!

Amy did a wonderful job with this little book! She kept us right in line with her Kauffman Amish Bakery series by using sweet Kathryn and her family in this book,too. That being said, though, you wouldn’t HAVE to read this with the series (though I always think it’s best to read the entire series with the branch offs). It would make the PERFECT Christmas gift for any book lover or Amish lover in your life. The message in this 5 star little book, of family,forgiveness and God’s tender love is phenomenal and gripping. This is definitely a keeper and high on my Christmas book recommendation list!